Kerry-Lynne Findlay has resigned as leader of the B.C. Conservatives, ending a leadership tenure of fewer than four months after weeks of internal conflict, caucus departures and growing pressure within the party.
Findlay announced her resignation Sunday, saying it was not an easy decision but that she believed it was the right step for the party and British Columbia. She said she did not want an internal dispute over her leadership to distract from the work expected of the provincial Opposition.
Her resignation came just hours after Linda Hepner, the MLA for Surrey-Serpentine River, announced that she was leaving the Conservative caucus. Hepner cited concerns about the direction of the party and the decision to remove three experienced MLAs — former leader John Rustad, Trevor Halford and Claire Rattée — from the caucus.
Findlay’s departure adds to a period of significant instability for the B.C. Conservatives. According to reports, 13 sitting MLAs have left the party or been removed from its caucus since August, while several former Conservatives have joined CentreBC, a newer provincial political party led by former Conservative MLA Peter Milobar.
Despite stepping down as leader, Findlay said she will remain the B.C. Conservative candidate in the Sept. 26 Abbotsford-Mission byelection, where she is seeking a seat in the legislature.
Findlay acknowledged that she had made decisions she would handle differently with the benefit of hindsight. She said she had listened, reflected and accepted responsibility for decisions that were hers to make.
She also condemned attacks directed at political figures and their families, saying political disagreements should not become personal attacks or threats.
The leadership change comes amid speculation that Premier David Eby could call an early provincial election. No snap election had been announced at the time of Findlay’s resignation, although the recent political upheaval has intensified attention on the possibility.
With Findlay stepping down, the B.C. Conservatives will now need to determine their next leadership arrangement while continuing preparations for the Abbotsford-Mission byelection and potentially an early provincial election.
The development marks a major change for B.C.’s political Opposition and leaves the party facing questions about its leadership, caucus stability and strategy heading into a potentially important period in provincial politics.
Swifteradio.com
